Fans back Kick It Out

Back in December we asked members of the Football Supporters’ Federation to share their views on the work of Kick It Out. The survey was launched to gain an insight into fans’ perceptions of the organisation following a number of high-profile incidents during KIO’s One Game, One Community weeks of action. Thanks to everybody who took the time to give their views on KIO’s work; the results are now in, drum roll…

The overwhelming majority of respondents (87%) believe that KIO can continue to contribute to reducing discrimination and promoting equality across all levels of the game. Seven out of 10 fans also feel that discrimination in sport is still a serious and widespread issue. 74.8% believe that KIO is required as an independent organisation to challenge discrimination of all forms.

Witnesses to racism, homophobia, or other types of discrimination are largely aware of the process to report these incidents (67.9%). However one in every five fans (19.2%) do not know what steps to take if they are witness to discriminatory behaviour or language. (*Scroll down to the end of this story to find out how.)

The KIO brand is extremely well-known and highly-visible with 95.8% saying they are aware of KIO and have seen it at a game or other event. 92.7% say they understand the goals and objectives of KIO while 85.9% agree it is a respected organisation in football.

Other findings show that 54.5% of fans know about the One Game, One Community weeks of action. A number of fans also commented on the issue of homophobia in football and the importance of KIO challenging this and other forms of discrimination such as disability discrimination.

“Relaunch the Justin Campaign, homophobia still goes on every week at football grounds up and down the country,” said one fan. Another focused on the under-representation of the Asian population saying, “I will consider Kick It Out to have been a success when we start seeing British Asians playing the game, an area that really is under-represented.”

Reflecting on the survey’s findings, Lord Herman Ouseley, chair of Kick It Out, said: “Since its inception in 1993, Kick It Out has relied heavily on the backing of supporters and fan organisations in conveying its key messages. This survey was carried out in order to gauge the feeling amongst fans towards the campaign and its effectiveness, and it’s clear that supporters continue to back us in the work we do in eradicating discrimination from the game.”

Raj Chandarana, who leads the FSF’s work on diversity, commented: “This survey highlights the importance of the work that Kick It Out does in campaigning to eradicate discrimination in football at all levels.

“The FSF, as the leading voice of fans in all tiers of football, is committed to working closely with Kick It Out to ensure that fans play their part in ensuring that our national game can be enjoyed by everyone. The FSF looks forward to strengthening its partnership with Kick It Out in the coming months.”

*When reporting incidents it’s best to consult your nearest steward so that immediate action can be taken. Individual clubs may have specific reporting policies, such as telephone hotlines. It's always important to note the description and location of the offender. You can also report an incident post-event via KIO's 'Report It' page here.